Parliament Hill Lido bans under-16s alone after bottle attack injures two

Parliament Hill Fields Lido in Hampstead Heath has banned unaccompanied under-16s after two violent incidents forced its closure in May 2025. The City of London Corporation, which manages the site, confirmed the new rules on 3 June. They include random bag checks and 10ft perimeter walls to stop intruders scaling the fence.

The first incident occurred on 25 May, when a 15-year-old boy and a man in his 40s were injured during a fight. A witness told the Daily Mail that a group of youths had forced their way onto the site, stolen a wine bottle from the café, and smashed it over the man’s head. The man was taken to hospital with head injuries. Two people, a 17-year-old boy and a 25-year-old man, were arrested on suspicion of affray but later released due to lack of evidence.

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Closures and new security measures

The lido closed for two consecutive evenings after a second fight broke out in the queue. A manager told the Daily Mail that such incidents happen “every summer” and that knives have been found in visitors’ bags. Staff have also reported people jumping over the café counter to avoid booking in.

The City of London Corporation said the new measures aim to improve safety. A spokesperson told The Standard that the 10ft walls were installed to deter unauthorised entry. Bag checks will be conducted at random, and under-16s must now be accompanied by an adult.

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Record attendance and wider concerns

Leisure company Better, which operates several London lidos, reported 524,988 visits to its pools between June and August 2025. That is a 30% increase on the previous year. The surge in visitors has led to longer queues and heightened tensions, according to Jem Collins, founder of the online guide All The Lidos.

“You have 500 to 1,000 people queuing outside of a pool, getting hot, and waiting to get in. That's when tensions start to rise and things start to fizz.”

Jem Collins, founder of All The Lidos

Collins said the heatwave, which began in May and continued through the summer, has driven more casual visitors to lidos. She added that some people expect a poolside bar atmosphere, which is not typical of UK lidos. Elsewhere in London, Tooting Bec Lido has introduced wristbands and up to six security guards on peak days.

What happens next

The City of London Corporation has not announced any further changes to security at Parliament Hill Fields Lido. Residents who witness anti-social behaviour can report it to the Met Police on 101, quoting CAD5578/25MAY, or to Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. The lido remains open to the public under the new rules.